8 Home Remedies for a Sore Throat

If you or your little one is suffering from a sore throat, you may want to try and avoid an immediate doctor's visit and see if any of these home remedies work for you first. If you're short some over-the-counter meds and need immediate relief, these natural home remedies ought to do the trick!

Saltwater: Gargling with warm saltwater several times a day can greatly reduce the swelling in your throat by loosening mucus and flushing out irritants and bacteria causing you harm. Simply mix half a teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water. If it tastes too salty for you, add a bit of honey to sweeten it. Don't forget to spit out the mixture instead of swallowing!

Fluids and rest: It's critical to get your recommended eight hours of sleep every night, but especially when you're sick. Ensuring that you're drinking enough fluids will make it easier for your mucus membranes to remain moist and able to combat bacteria and irritants.

Tea: Warm herbal tea offers immediate soothing relief to a sore throat. Plus, no matter what type of tea leaves (black, green or white) you're using, you will benefit from tons of immunity-strengthening antioxidants.

>> Read more: Glossary of Foods: Green Tea

Chicken soup: That's right! Chicken soup can actually help get you over your sickness. The sodium in the broth has anti-inflammatory properties. Plus, the warm soup will feel much better going down than solid food would feel on your sore throat.

>> Recipe: Skinny Chicken Noodle Soup

Marshmallows: Technically, there's no hard evidence that supports eating marshmallows for pain relief, but sap from the marshmallow plant has been used — usually in tea form — to treat coughs, colds and sore throats for hundreds of years. It might be due to the gelatin that coats and soothes your throat. You don't have to tell us twice!

Apple cider vinegar drink: Apple cider vinegar is a valuable household commodity! Its multitude of alternative uses especially comes in handy when you're battling a cold. The high levels of acidity kill bacteria, and when mixed in with honey, soothes soreness. All you have to do is mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with one tablespoon of honey and one cup of warm water, then throw it down the hatch!

>> Read more: Glossary of Foods: Apple Cider Vinegar

Garlic: This might sound strange, but sucking on a piece of garlic like a cough drop can help soothe your throat immensely! A compound called allicin kills bacteria that causes strep and sore throats can be found in garlic. You don't really want to bite down on it, but rather suck on it and slightly press your teeth into it until the garlic-y flavor is gone. It would be best not to practice this remedy before a dinner date.

>> Read more: Household Hacks: Garlic

Cayenne concoction: Sometimes you just have to battle fire with fire. A compound in cayenne pepper called capsaicin temporarily relieves pain, quite similar to ibuprofen or tylenol. Simply mix half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper with one teaspoon of honey into a cup of boiling water. Wait until the water is warm and drink up! If you're sensitive to spice, try reducing the amount of cayenne to as little as an eighth of a teaspoon. Want to know how spices can speed up your metabolism? Click here!

What are some of your own secret home remedies to cure a sore throat? Share with us in the comments below!